A week to revive

Since my husband was on vacation last week, we took a trip to Gettysburg, PA. We've visited the town several times in the past, both for reenactments, and just to do the tour and take in the Civil War atmosphere. This trip we wanted to visit the new museum, but we also did another tour of the battlefield. We stopped at Little Round Top and Devil's Den and spent a night walking the sidewalks of the town and visiting a few of the shops.

Oh, and of course we had to visit our favorite ice cream shop. Love that butter pecan! Ummm!

I also took a week away from writing. And now, I'm ready to jump back in, refreshed and ready to start revising and editing my new Civil War novella, Cole's Promise.

Very productive week in writing

I'm happy to say I've completed the first 100 pages of edits on my newly contracted novel, Cassidy's War. Fortunately, since I've already gone through two revision requests with this manuscript, these mostly seem to be line edits and I have three weeks to finish up.

I also completed the first draft of a short magazine romance story. I'm putting that aside for a week before doing edits and polishing a bit before submitting.

Besides all that, I researched, wrote and posted a history blog at Slip Into Something Victorian on the Baltimore Raid at the start of the American Civil War.

I think the contracted edits are helping to get me right into my writing tasks. Before the contract, I'd sometimes have a hard time deciding which project I wanted to work on, since I always seem to have several in the works. While trying to decide, I'd waste time checking email and websites, instead of writing during my scheduled writing time.

Hopefully, I can get even more organized now. No fooling around when you have to complete edits on a deadline that's not self-imposed.

Finally in the home stretch

After putting aside my sci-fi romance the end of the summer, I've been revising, editing and this week completed proofing the entire file of my post Civil War romance, Cassidy's War.

Today I plan to print out the file, then put it aside for an entire week. Then I'll proofread the printed copy to try to catch any typos or mistakes I missed on the Word file.

After that, it goes back to my editor. I hope when I hear back on it, I'll be able to announce a new book contract.

My next post will be my list of writing goals for the new year.

Not Sure What I'm Doing...

... this month. I just finished the first draft of my science fiction romance, so have put that away to cool for a bit.

And the only other ongoing project I have is to finish edits, polish up and submit my short Civil War Christmas story. This project has to be submitted by the end of the month, so will be my top priority. But after that, I'll need to start on something new, I guess.

I've been toying with a post Civil War story featuring characters from my out-of-print YA novel, Under the Guns. So, maybe I'll start work on an outline for that, unless some other project captures my imagination.

2009 Goals

So, what do I want to accomplish in 2009?

First of all I want to finish the projects I'm working on at present.

• complete outline for short Christmas story
• write first draft
• revise and polish, then submit by April 1st
• complete first draft of science fiction romance, Moons of Cynara
• after a long break from it, I'd like to revise, polish and search out publishers to submit to
• submit partials to selected publishers
• revise short vampire story, Sweet Redemption and resubmit to editor
• finish proofread of galley for Confederate Rose
• work with editor on contracted anthology story
• start on promo for Erin's Rebel close to the release date of July 17th

Well, that's my list for now. All of these are projects already contracted or in development. It looks like a lot, so I'll see how it goes.

This Just Isn't Working!

This month I thought I'd try something I haven't done before. I seem to have no trouble writing a first draft or outline one story, while doing edits on another. So, since I have two new projects I'm trying to work on at once, I thought I could write a first draft for one and outline another.

But it just doesn't seem to be working. Could be that the creative part of my brain just can't create two stories at once. Once I'm done working on my first draft, I just can't seem to switch to the outline. So, for now, I've decided to work on the first draft on weekdays and outline on the weekends.

Don't know if it'll work, but it's worth a try.

December Goals

A little late, but here goes.

1) Get my word count for the first draft of my science fiction romance up to 40,000 words by the end of the month.

Since my word count now stands at 26, 673, I only have 13, 327 words left to go.

2) Complete the outline for a short American Civil War Christmas story by the end of the month.

I've already gotten a start on this one too.

And my contracted edits are out of the way, so I don't see any problems in completing these two goals. I'll let you know how I did and also list my 2009 goals at the end of December.

November Goals

About time I post my writing goals for November. Since I'm in the middle of galley proofs and edits for Erin's Rebel and Confederate Rose, I'm only listing one goal for this month.

1) Start first draft of my new science fiction romance, Moons of Cynara.
My goal is to write the first 20,000 words this month.

Be back at the end of the month to let you know how I did.

October Writing Goals

Okay, figured out what I want to accomplish writing-wise for the month of October.

1) Edit, proofread and submit my short vampire story, Sweet Redemption.

2) Finally finish the outline for my full-length science fiction romance.

I think I can work both these projects in among the work I have to do with all my contracted stories. So, we'll see how I do.

End of the Month Already

Well, I checked out my writing goals, or should I say goal, for this month. I wanted to try to finish up the outline for my science fiction romance. But, I didn't get it done.

I don't feel bad, though, because it was other writing obligations that got in the way. And did I accomplish a lot.

I got through the galley of Erin's Rebel and found quite a few boo-boos we missed during edits, so those are now being fixed. I also got a contract for Confederate Rose and filled out all the manuscript and author forms for that.

I also completed my anthology story and submitted that. I wrote a very short Civil War Christmas story that I submitted to TWRP as a free read and I finished revisions on my newest vampire story.

So, although I didn't complete my stated goal, I accomplished a great deal writing-wise. Maybe I'll get that outline done in October.

August Is Over Already?

I can't believe this month is over.

Time to see how I did with my August goals.

1) Finish revisions on outline of Sweet Redemption and write first draft.

Since SR is a short story of about 70 pages, I was able to get this one in. I just wrote the ending of the first draft on Wednesday. Now, I'll let the story sit for a little while.

2) Go over anthology story again.

I did a final revision and edit of my anthology story and now my critique partners are going over it.

3) Complete proofread of Cassidy's War.

This is my full-length young adult that was formerly published as Under the Guns. I finished the proofread and got a request for the full. Now, I'm waiting to hear back on it.

So, I think I deserve a few days of R and R. But I did do some updating on my website. If you'd like to see the results click the link: http://susanmacatee.com/News.html

Erin's Rebel Excerpt

Since I've turned in my final edits for Erin's Rebel, my Civil War time travel romance, in to my editor, thought I'd whet everyone's appetites with an excerpt.

Erin's Rebel

Time Travel Romance

The Wild Rose Press - American Rose

The sound of her name on his lips made her skin tingle. She tore the paper off the package. At the sight of the brooch, her breath caught.

"Do you like it?" he asked anxiously. "I had it made just for you."

Eyeing him, she had a hard time finding her voice. This was Erin O'Connell's brooch, the very one that had sent her back in time. It shone in her hands, new and unworn from time and wear.

What did this mean? She must be following Erin O'Connell's footsteps. As far as she knew her being here hadn't changed anything. Will was still destined to die this year.

"I didn't mean to upset you, Erin. If you don't want the brooch--"

"No." She clasped the pin against her chest as the meaning of his gift sank in. "It just means so much to me."

His look of concern softened into a lopsided grin. "I'm happy you feel that way."

"Thank you, Will." She slipped the brooch into the pocket of her wrapper, then stood on her toes, lifting her arms to circle his neck. She kissed his cheek, inhaling his musky scent.

His mouth was on hers, hot and urgent. The softness of his moustache and chin beard tickled her lips. She opened to him, her tongue slipping inside to taste him thoroughly. He groaned, pressing the length of his body against her.
___

Hope you all enjoyed. Keep you posted on further developments.

Things Are Finally Slowing Down

Wow! I finally have time to think of something beside my work. After juggling several clients for months in my home business, I actually have no work in at all.

I'm also in wait mode on several of my writing projects. Erin's Rebel is finished! Just waiting on the galleys. All I have left to do when they come in is proofread for mistakes.

And a few of my other projects I've been switching between are also in wait mode now.

I've decided to use all this free time to finally start writing the first draft of my new vampire story, Sweet Redemption. This one will be longer then Eternity Waits, but still a short story. Like Eternity Waits, it takes place during the Civil War. An ex-Catholic priest turned Union infantry captain is attacked by a vampire. He must save his soul from the vampire, as well as a beautiful Southern widow, who takes him in when he collapses across her back stoop. I'm having fun writing the new scenes. I'm trying to get myself out of edit mode though, to keep the words flowing. I've outlined the entire story scene by scene and am following it as I write the first draft.

If things go on as they are, I'll have no trouble completing the first draft by the end of the month.

August Goals

Finally figured out my August goals.

First and foremost, I have to complete final edits for Erin's Rebel, but I'm almost finished. So, here they are:

1) Finish revisions on the outline for my new vampire story, Sweet Redemption and write the first draft.
Since this is a short story I should have no trouble completing the first draft by month's end.

2) Go over my anthology story, Angel of My Dreams, again.
I already did one revision, so will mostly be doing final edits.


3) Complete proofread of Cassidy's War.
The editor is reading the first three chapters, and I'm almost finished proofreading the remainder of the manuscript.


So, I think I should be able to complete these goals by the end of the month, especially if my home typing business continues in a lull. Frees up that much more time for writing.

My Goals for July

I checked over the goals I'd set for July and have gotten them all done early.

1) Revise anthology story.
Done.

2) Proofread Confederate Rose.
Done.

3) Complete self-edits for Cassidy's War.
Done and I've sent the query and synopsis to The Wild Rose Press, gotten a request for the opening chapters and sent them out.

So, next up I'll be listing my goals for August.

Haven't Blogged In a While

I've been neglecting my blog. I've been so lost in edits on all my projects, I haven't had much time for anything else.

But I now have a break in Erin's Rebel edits. And I've completed self-editing both Confederate Rose and Cassidy's War. I think I need a break.

Since I've completed all my projects for the month of July, I think I'm going to start reviewing the outline for my new short vampire story, Sweet Redemption, next week. I'm beginning to like the idea of switching off between long and short projects.

My plan is to write the first draft of that story in August. So, why not get a jump start?

What's Up For June?

Haven't worked out my goals for June yet. Computer problems are still hanging around. Hopefully, they'll be worked out soon.

But I do have one project I want to complete this month. I'm writing the first draft of a new short story for an anthology of Civil War romances. I've just started and have already completed over 2000 words.

My goal is to complete the first draft by the end of June.

I also have to start the next round of edits for Erin's Rebel, but I have until July 14th to complete those.

Despite Computer Problems ...

In spite of not having a working computer since Mother's Day, I've actually managed to complete both my May goals.

1) Finish outline for my short vampire story.
Done and put away to gel.

2) Complete edits for Katie Rose.
Also done and put away, except for the chapter my critique group's just gone over.

While the computer problems did hold me back a bit, I'm feeling good that it didn't get in the way of those goals.

Now, I've got to come up with some goals for June.

Goals for May

Writing goals, that is.

And here they are:

1) I want to complete the outline for my short vampire story, then put it away to gel for a bit before I start the first draft.

2) I want to start line edits on Katie Rose and, hopefully, complete them by the end of the month.

That's it for May. Let you know how I did.

April Goals?

Hmm.

It's April 30th, so I thought I'd better go over those goals I made at the start of the month.

I've been buried in edits for Erin's Rebel, added to that the excitement of the past few weeks with the release of Eternity Waits and all the promo that went with that. I also had my first Civil War reenactment of the season this past weekend. So, I don't think I completed all my writing goals, but I didn't do so bad.

1) Complete revisions for Katie Rose.
This one I did manage to complete. Now, after a short break, my plan is to start line edits in May.

2) Complete outline for my new vampire story.
I didn't complete this one, but I have a lot done. Since it's another short story, there aren't that many scenes, so the outline is really shaping up. It's fun to work on something new after all the revising and editing on the other stories.

3) Start first draft.
Well, I didn't get to that. Want to get the outline finished first. But I do have a title for my new story. I'm calling it, Sweep Redemption.

The hero is a Civil War Union captain who was once a Catholic priest, but left the church. Now he's being stalked by a vampire and he needs the help of a Southern widow to fight the vampire off.

Let me know if you like the title.